Burlington, Wisconsin, may seem like an unlikely destination for chocolate lovers. However, the small city in the southeastern part of the state houses a Nestle factory. While factory tours aren't offered, come for an annual chocolate festival and visit a chocolate museum. Not surprisingly, the city's slogan is "Chocolate City USA.” Burlington’s non-candy attractions include a spinning top and yo-yo museum, water ski shows and a fitness trail.

Chocolate Related

More than 35,000 chocoholics flock to Burlington every Memorial Day weekend for the annual ChocolateFest. Sample treats from candy vendors, compete in a chocolate eating contest and see professional chefs showcase their chocolate creations. To work off those calories, go on a group bike ride ranging from 10 to 62 miles throughout country roads. Be warned: it’s hard to escape the sweets with unlimited chocolate offered at rest stops between the pedaling. The event, which began in 1987, also has a parade, carnival rides and live music. Highlights of the Burlington’s Chocolate Experience Museum include exhibits about chocolate history and chocolate sculptures.

Toy Museums

The Spinning Top & Yo-Yo Museum shows kids what toys were like before video games and smart phones. The museum displays 2,000 gyroscopes, tops, yo-yos and other hand-powered toys. You’ll even get to try out more than 40 vintage toys and see a presentation that reveals tricks of the trade. Don’t worry if you’re a novice -- the museum has yo-yo and top spinning classes that you need to register for in advance. The Logic Puzzle Museum sits adjacent to the Spinning Top & Yo-Yo Museum. Use your mind to solve more than 60 puzzles and brain twisters. Additionally, the museum displays antique games and toys.

Spectator Events

Grab a seat at Fischer Park to watch the Brown's Lake Aquaducks water ski team perform perfectly choreographed shows. The skiers wear colorful outfits while executing a range of pyramids and lifts. Performances typically take place on most Thursdays with an occasional weekend showing from late May to early September. The Haylofters community theater company usually puts on at least five productions a season at the Historic Malt House Theater. The venue has additional events throughout the year such as improv comedy shows.

Nature and Recreation

The White River State Trail begins in Burlington and stretches 12 miles west to Elkhorn. You’ll pass farms, bridges and wetlands while biking or jogging. Wisconsin typically gets blanketed with plenty of snow in the winter. The trail -- on a closed rail corridor -- remains open in the cold for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Burlington sits 15 miles southwest from the Big Foot Beach State Park in Lake Geneva. The 271-acre park has 100 campsites, hiking trails and a beach to relax on between swimming and boating in the lake.

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About the Author

A.M. David's articles have appeared in "The Washington Post" and several regional publications in a career spanning more than 15 years. He has also written for the "Princeton Packet" chain. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Maryland.